Ministry of Environment Mandates QR Codes on Plastic Packaging
If you pack your products in plastic, this department notification is for you, from now onwards a QR code is mandatory, on plastic bottle & on information paper slip inside.
What’s the matter? —–
This notification, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on “January 23, 2025, amends the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. For businesses who pack their products in plastic.
Previously, the ingredient and other information used to be on the bottle itself but from now onwards, a QR code is also mandatory
Key Points of the notice —-
Information on Plastic Packaging :-
From July 1, 2025, producers, importers, and brand owners must provide the information given in Rule 11 of Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 on plastic packaging in following ways:
-Barcode or Quick Response (QR) code
-Product information brochure
Highlights :-
INFORMATION to be included in QR code, product INFORMATION brochure:
1) Name and registration number of manufacturer
2) Name and Certificate number in case of carry bags made from compostable plastic
3) Name, registration number of manufacturer and thickness of carry bag.
4) All the Information should be printed in English language.
Any unique number required under any currently applicable law :
Action for Contravention: – Any person who fails to comply with or contravenes these rules will be liable to a penalty under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
References :-
Here are the links to the requested documents from official government websites:
- Sections 3, 6, and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986):
- The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, is available on the Central Pollution Control Board’s website:
- For the specific sections:
- Section 3: Empowers the Central Government to take measures to protect and improve the environment.
- Section 6: Allows the Central Government to make rules to regulate environmental pollution.
- Section 25: Grants the Central Government the authority to make rules for carrying out the provisions of the Act.
- Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016:
- The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, can be found here:
- Notification number G.S.R. 320(E), dated March 18, 2016:
- This notification pertains to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016:
- Notification number G.S.R. 285(E), dated March 27, 2018:
- This notification is an amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules:
- Notification number G.S.R. 571(E), dated August 12, 2021:
- This notification is an amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules:
- Notification number G.S.R. 647(E), dated August 17, 2021:
- This notification is an amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules:
- Notification number G.S.R. 133(E), dated February 16, 2022:
- This notification is an amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules:
- Notification number G.S.R. 522(E), dated July 6, 2022:
- This notification is an amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules:
- Notification number G.S.R. 318(E), dated April 27, 2023:
- This notification is an amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules:
- Notification number G.S.R. 807(E), dated October 30, 2023:
- This notification is an amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules:
- Notification number G.S.R. 201(E), dated March 14, 2024:
- This notification is an amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules:
Objective : –
The objective of these amendments is to make plastic waste management more effective. By providing more information on plastic packaging, consumers will be more aware of their plastic usage. Additionally, penalties for non-compliance will help ensure that producers, importers, and brand owners adhere to the rules.
Conclusion :-
This notification is an important step towards better plastic waste management. These amendments will help reduce plastic pollution and protect the environment. Essentially, it mandates better tracking and information dissemination regarding plastic packaging, coupled with penalties to enforce compliance.